With mold problem at Quaboag worse than first thought, closed Converse school in Palmer considered

WEST BROOKFIELD - Plans are underway to see if the former Converse Middle School in Palmer can be the temporary solution to the protracted mold problem that has prevented 620 students from starting the 2018-19 school year at Quaboag Middle/Senior High School in Warren.

Palmer officials are supporting the idea, but a number of issues must be worked out prior to re-opening the facility for students.

Quaboag officials are optimistic Converse could be ready sometime next week.

On Tuesday, Quaboag Superintendent Brett Kustigian met with more than 100 parents who packed the cafeteria at West Brookfield Elementary School to update them on the mold problem, and discuss the potential temporary solution.

In a letter to the community that was also released Tuesday night, he said the idea of using Converse was relayed to him by State Rep. Todd Smola, R-Warren.

Kustigian had contacted Smola Monday night when test results showed that the mold at Quaboag was much worse than first thought and would take longer to remediate than originally estimated.

At this point, there is no timetable on when the Quaboag building will be deemed safe, but Converse appears to be a temporary solution on the horizon that would allow pupils to finally begin class for the school year.

"(Converse) will be able to meet our needs for as long as it takes to remediate (Quaboag)," Smola said in an interview following the Tuesday night meeting. "The building is still in very good condition. We think this could work."

After learning of the test results Monday night, Kustigian called Smola. The representative then drove to Kustigian's office, where they huddled with members of the staff and school committee.

Smola that night contacted Palmer Town Council President Barbara Barry, who relayed that it was worth a try to use Converse.

"It is the most viable option to accommodate the 620-student body," Smola said.

"Safety is the number one priority," he said.

Smola on Tuesday also had discussions with Palmer's police and fire chiefs and the building inspector.

In a letter to the Quaboag school community released Tuesday night, Kustigian wrote:

"After walking through the Converse Middle School today, we have determined that this is an ideal location to temporarily host our middle and high school students, while, at the same time, working to rectify the mold issue at QRMHS. We are collaborating with the Palmer Town Manager and the Palmer Town Council to work out the details of using Converse Middle School.

"Converse Middle School continues to be actively used by recreational teams in the town of Palmer, and up to July of 2018 hosted offices of the Palmer Superintendent and administrative staff," Kustigian wrote.

School officials including Kustigian have been meeting with the district's insurance carrier to discuss if insurance would cover all of the remediation efforts, with another meeting planned Wednesday.

The towns of West Brookfield and Warren comprise the Quaboag Regional School District.

Converse Middle School, built in 1923, was closed to students by the Palmer school committee in June 2017 after officials said the town didn't have the money to maintain it.

In an email statement Tuesday night, Blanchard said: "Palmer would really like to help if we can."